Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-04
LEWIS ACADEMY.
A Rising and Prosperous Institu-
ton Of Learning at
Wichita
A DESCRIPTION of the Building,
Grounds And Course Of Study:
With Brief Review of
It's First Years
History.

l
With Brief Review of
It's First Years
History
One Of the many institutions of learning
that graces this Athens of the West is tn:
Lewis Academy. This worthy institution
which is about to commence its second scho
lastic year under such favorable auspices
was founded by the citizens OF Wichita in
the year 1884 Its object is to fit the student
for the active duties of life or to give thor
ough preparation for the higher institutions
OF learning. After its organization it was
placed under the control of the Presbytery
of Emporia; and with the following excel
lent board Of trustees: Rudolph Hatfield,
president; Rev. J. D. Hewitt, secretary; H.
W. Lewis, L. B. Ferrill, L. B. Bllnnell, A. A.
hyde, FL. Imboden, r. E. Lawrence, Jas. L.
Dyer, w. c. Little, F. Williams and j. c.
Rutan. j. d. Hewitt was made superin
tendant and j. NJ Naylor,
A. NJ, principal. The first
year was an eminently successful one; Prof.
Naylor and his three assistants in spite of the
incompleteness of the building and amid the
sounds of the hammertand the trowel manag-
ed to draw around them 102 students and to
| impart instruction that held the attention
and met the entire appreciation of parents or
guardians. 1t is this success in such incom-
plete surrounding that give such high hopes
for the future.
The building is one Of great beauty and
one that is sure to attract and hold tina at
tention of even the most careless observer;
Of the Gothic style Of architecture; massive
and imposing in appearance. The main
building has frontage on Market street of
As feet, and a depth of 90 feet; the two wings
give an entire frontage of 10
feet. It is three stories in
height; built of brick with finely cut
stone trimmings. Two large arched entran-
ces lead into the building from the front and
as many from the rear. The building was
constructed from designs furnished by Messrs.
Proudfit and Bird, with Mr.. Sternberg as
contractor, and at cost OF $4,000.
The interior is well in keeping with the ex-
terror. Upon the first floor of the main
building are the Offices of the principal and
the reception room In the wings are study
and recitation rooms. Upon the north are
two and in the south one. These rooms, as
well as all the others, are admirably equipped
for study; well lighted, thoroughly venti-
lated, heated by steam, furnished with plenty
of blackboard surface and all the necessary
maps and charts. The desks and seats are
all new and neat At the end Of the room is
a raised platform, carpeted and supplied
with chair and desk for the instructor.
The floor of the rooms is covered with
mating The broad halls are likewise laid
with mating and heated with steam.
In the rear of the main building is room
runni ng its entire length, which is to be used
as library and reading room. Books are
being contributed and bought and soon this
delightful room will be supplied with an
excellent library for the use of the students.
The art room is upon the first floor and is
already being supplied with paintings and
models for the use of those pursuing this
branch of the course. The room is admirably
adapted for the purpose. being well lighted. |
This department will be in charge |
of Mrs. S. ". Norris and instruc- |
ton given in Freehand and mechanical |
drawing, drawing from life, from casts, |
from fat surface, crayoning, landscape and |
portrait painting, decorative work upon |
China, pottery, satin or velvet, Kensington |
and painting in monochrome Mrs. Norris !
has the highest recommendation for the /
position, and she promises TO give eminent |
satisfaction in her department.
On the second floor are two OF the largest |
class rooms, one OF which at least viii be /
given up to the grammar school department.
These rooms are like the others most at
tractive. elegantly furnished and fully |
equipped with maps, charts, and apparati /
for the branches intended TO be taught.
One Of the smaller rooms
on this floor wiz be the apparatus room
Prof. Naylor has already succeeded in gather
ing together some very important instru-
nents and machinery for this room, to be
used in instruction in the sciences There
ire many things yet required, bu. the valu-
able additions being alncs. constantly made
gives ASSURANCES tia. these Deficiencies win
soon be supplied.
In the rear of this story in tie main build
rg, Is Prof. MAYORS pet, TIE chafel This
$ certainly beautiful room. The interior
5 gothic. the ceiling finished in Bgh. wood,
md the gallery railing and sea.s Of the
anne The ais!es are covered with mating
nd the floors seated with chairs. |
he rostran Is q, the cas-. end opposite the
.allery; il is carpes@i and Furnished with
ecture stands and chairs. The light comes
Z through colcrei glass All who look
nto the beautiful chspel admire IL Many ,
lines, Prof Sayloc says, have visiting con-
aitsees 20 ths instisution exp-e=sec wise 70
ave JUS. such roon for church Be. La :.
eeuty Is no. al that cosnneEds Il; The
eoustsc properties are almost perfect
here is 10 echo and every word can Be -
lainIy ard distinctly beard in the rexrossst 1,
AZ Of the room a. in tie rearsz.. In